Sportscaster Stephen A. Smith is seen during an interview on Radio Row at the NFL Media Center during Super Bowl Week on Wednesday, February 3, 2106 in San Francisco, CA. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan) more >

ESPN commentator and SiriusXM radio host Stephen A. Smith stressed that “racism doesn’t exist” anymore and “white folks got problems, too,” during a speech honoring Black History Month at the University of South Alabama.

Mr. Smith, who is black, gave a lecture titled, “The Legacy, History and Impact of the African-American Athlete,” at the public Mobile campus on Monday, a local CBS News affiliate reported.

“Racism doesn’t exist. Obviously, I’m lying. Of course it exists, but not for you,” he reportedly told students. “See, you don’t have to go to the back of the bus. You’re not denied the opportunity to eat at restaurants, or to enter night clubs, or to patronize businesses. You have the right to vote. You’re not being lynched. You’re not being hung.”

Mr. Smith went on to acknowledge that older black students may have experienced racism.

“You’re older, you know I’m not talking about you. But youngsters, you need to understand that white folks got problems, too. Some of them can’t pay their bills,” he said, CBS reported. “Some of them are struggling. Some of them are being denied opportunities. And you need to understand that, because when people are going through their own problems, they are not going to lament what your trials and tribulations are.”